Incorrect logic for link verification

This module is so easy to use, I love it.

It seems for some reason the order of operators in this statement executes inconsistently (I can't explain why):

          // Output plaintext instead of a link if there is a title
          // without a path.
          if ($path = trim($paths[$i]) && $path != '<none>') {
            $trail[] = l($title, trim($paths[$i]));
          }
          else {
            $trail[] = check_plain($title);
          }

The "correct" order of operation in $path = trim($paths[$i]) && $path != '<none>' would be:
- $path != '<none>'
- trim($paths[$i]) && [result from above]
- $path = [result from above]

See http://www.php.net/manual/en/language.operators.php#language.operators.p...

So the real question is why it ever works at all :)